(Normal pov)
That was it wasn’t it? The thing that bothered me the most about the slimy Sannin, he was me gone wrong. Orochimaru’s story was not anything new but neither was my own. Born a genius, held on a pedestal and saw success everywhere. Then something happened to change them and they went on to do great or terrible things. This story scheme was as common as it got and I knew that the only thing stopping me from going down the path to terrible deeds was myself. People like to think that they were responsible for the actions of those around them but it wasn’t true.-
The only actions one is truly ever responsible for are their own, Orochimaru alone was responsible for the way he turned out as those choices were his alone. Teachers give knowledge and time to their students but how that was used was the students choice. I understood this and accepted it but my sensei was not the same. To some degree she felt responsible for the way Orochimaru turned out and even now felt responsible for myself as well. Don’t get me wrong I was happy to have her as my sensei but that didn’t mean I wasn’t aware of why she took this role.-
“Let me guess the old man called you specifically to become my sensei just so I didn’t turn into the snake right?” I asked and she looked ashamed.
“No need to look like that it’s only to be expected after all. “Once bitten twice shy” I believe the phrase goes. Orochimaru turned into a vile person and no one close to him seemed to realize it until it caused irreparable damage to the village. Obviously when a child who shared so many similarities appeared you all wouldn’t want to risk repeating the mistakes of the past. But I can assure you that I have no intention of turning into anything like that man. Feel free to see for yourself in time.” I said calmly before leaving the woman to her thoughts.
We didn’t talk much over the next few days beyond her correcting any mistake I made or further explaining something I was having trouble grasping. I couldn’t really blame her for it since I had exposed her and the old mans reason for my placement under her. She probably felt shame or like the bond between teacher and student had been dirtied by this reason but I didn’t see it that way.
While it was true I would have preferred a sensei who didn’t have a motive for agreeing to teach me beyond seeing me reach my full potential there was nothing wrong with this either. She treated no differently than Shizune and taught me earnestly so I had no reason to complain. In truth this entire conversation was simply for her own benefit so she could get over it. I am not Orochimaru and if I had a say in it would never be like him beyond what I am now.-
Heavy thoughts aside there was a breakthrough in my chakra nature transformation in regards to copying my beasts. I had finally discovered how to replicate Rens poison nature transformation and I really wanted to punch the old man when I did. The reason for this was that it wasn’t a single chakra nature, not a kekkai genkai either mind you. No, it was a yin-yang chakra blend that was heavy on yang energy that turned the chakra into poison. In other words it wasn’t a real change in chakra nature but more a transformation of chakra itself so that it was close in appearance.-
The rest of my beasts abilities were either the exact same way or legitimate kekkai genkai from the fusion of two chakra natures. My cats ability was more yin heavy and my snakes ability was yang heavy to the extreme to the point it might as well be considered pure yang release. Let me tell you those clones were next level helpful since unlike what I had thought they were still connected to me in a sort of hive-mind and basically let me be in three places at once.-
I could only handle three clones unfortunately as any more caused my mind to overload and gave me nosebleeds and debilitating headaches. It was totally worth it though as my sensei practically begged me to teach her how to do it as it was perfect for an iryonin. Most that died waiting for medical attention did so because one iryonin was always just that, one person. Clone jutsus always suffered from chakra problems and were fragile as any damage no matter how small dispersed them. My new clone jutsu that I dubbed “Mitosis clone jutsu” didn’t have that issue.
You paid an absolutely massive amount of chakra to create a clone but after that the clone and yourself both regenerate chakra equal to what your max was and the cherry on top was that the clones were also entirely physical so you basically multiplied yourself. Destroying a clone was nasty business though as the thing dissolved and you had to experience the feeling of death and pain until it was finished. I had both my sensei and Shizune swear on penalty of death not to share the jutsu with anyone before I taught them how it worked.-
Both of them were wise and practiced the chakra manipulation with shadow clones like I did since failure had some nasty consequences. Full body stage five cancer, multiple organs, too much blood and a few other fun conditions were all possibilities. Unlike myself who could sense the way chakra moved within a body these two didn’t have this privilege and needed step by step molding instructions from me AFTER they got the yin-yang ratios correct to pull it off. There was a lot of deformed shadow clones during that month before they managed to pull it off a single time.-
My sensei asked me if she could at least tell report the jutsu to the village even if I wasn’t going to share it since it definitely qualified as a forbidden jutsu due to it’s cost and effects. Konoha had very strict policies in place about forbidden jutsu so while I was VERY reluctant I agreed. It came as no surprise that we were summoned back to the village days after that report was sent. It took time for the information to reach the village and then return after all. We were at the border of the land of fire and hot water when a dozen masked black clothed shinobi ambushed us.-
It was early in the morning on a overcast sky that shaded the tall grass and trees around us and we all leapt away when the first senbons(needle-like throwing weapon) came straight towards us.
I stretched out my senses and frowned “Twelve all with chakras comparable to Shizunes.” I reported and my sensei and fellow student both had stern expressions.
“Twelve Jonin level shinobi, someone really doesn’t want us to leave this place. If I’m right at least one of these shinobi has a way to shoot down your hawk as well.” Tsunade said seriously as the twelve ninjas stepped into view with emotionless eyes staring us down and weapons in plain view.
“This is a capture unit, look at the weapons. Not a single thing meant to kill but nets and senbon for crippling and poisoning.” I said seriously and my sensei looked grim.